Multiple spindle machine tool apparatus with improved work holding chuck means



G. A. HATHERELL ETAL 2,969,553 MULTIPLE SPINDLE MACHINE TOOL APPARATUSwrm IMPROVED WORK HOLDING CHUCK MEANS '11 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 31, 1961Filed Jan. 31, 1957 Gem as A. ban/251.; By Mnem npmw $MW 10/ 564a,

INVENTORS Jan. 31, 1961 G. A. HATHERELL ETAL 2,969,553

MULTIPLE SPINDLE MACHINE TOOL APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED WORK HOLDING CHUCKMEANS Filed Jan. 31, 1957 l1 Sheets-Sheet 2 fig-2 Lana UNLOQD CvzomCHMMFEE CNfiEEDRHL pg INVENTORS Games A HA wees izier/ Jan. 31, 1961 G.A. HATHERELL ETAL 2,969,553

MULTIPLE SPINDLE MACHINE TOOL APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED WORK HOLDINGcx-xucx MEANS Filed Jan. 31, 1957 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 kuax IN VEN TOR-5Games A. f/nmseeu BY Mfier/N pnon/m Jan. 31, 1961 G. A. HATHERELL EFAL2,969,553

MULTIPLE SPINDLE MACHINE TOOL APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED WORK HOLDING CHUCKMEANS' Filed Jan. 31, 1957 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TORS 026: A. He menELL BY MneT/M Pnowm/ 1961 G. A. HATHERELL EIAL 2,969,553

MULTIPLE SPINDLE MACHINE TOOL APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED WORK HOLDING CHUCKMEANS Filed Jan. 51, 1957 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS 650365 4Mar/4525.41. M427 PAwn Av WWW Jan. 31, 1961 G A HATHERELL ETAL 2,969,553

MULTIPLE SPINDLE MACHINE TOOL APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED WORK HOLDING CHUCKMEANS Filed Jan. 31, 1957 J]. Sheets-Sheet 6 .INVENTORJ Gsazae ,4.Han/5251.4 MAR 1 4mm 0 Jan. 31, 1961 G. A. HATHERELL ErAL 2,969,553

MULTIPLE SPINDLE MACHINE TOOL APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED WORK HOLDING caucxMEANS Filed Jan. 31, 1957 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 71- u 302 INVENTORS IIMQY/Jan. 31, 1961 G. A. HATHERELL EI'AL 2,969,553

MULTIPLE SPINDLE MACHINE TOOL APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED WORK HOLDING CHUCKMEANS Filed Jan. 31, 1957 l1 Sheets-Sheet 8 VIIIIIIIIIIIIIA 4m 4'70INVENTORS 1% any? Jam-31, 1961 G. A. HATHERELL ET'AL 2,969,553

MULTIPLE SPINDLE MACHINE TOOL APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED WORK HOLDING CHUCKMEANS Filed Jan. 51, 1957 I ll Sheets-Sheet 9 f .23 674 p 670 i l 68 91702 7e 23 23s 2.50 f o 1': 2% 246 I 224 I 57 4 1 fl 252 248 50 J1 z l/'24@ 694 I UL I252 -.234 I I 234 I zze V 25 l I m 1 I 1 608 I ll x 24a25a 6 I 250 228 94 3a 1 24a HATHERELL ETAL Jan. 31, 1961 G. A. 2,969,553

MULTIPLE SPINDLE MACHINE TOOL APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED WORK HOLDING cnucxMEANS l1 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Jan. 51, 1957 ew e42 wm% WWW W r W m A, J7. ma wM 6 Jan.'3l, 1961 G. A. HATHERELL EIAL 2,9 5

' MULTIPLE SPINDLE MACHINE TOOL APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED WORK HOLDINGCHUCK MEANS ll Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Jan. 51, 1957 I INVENTORS 650265 A.Hnrusezu. Mnemv 2 90mm United States Patent MULTIPLE SPINDLE MACHINETOOL APPARATUS nlETH SIMPROVED WORK HOLDING CHUCK AN George A.Hatherell, Sun Valley, and Martin Padway, Beverly Hills, Calif.,assignors to The National Screw and Manufacturing Company, Cleveland,Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Jan. 31, 1957, Ser. No. 637,425

27 Claims. (Cl. -128) The present invention relates generally to machinetools and more particularly to a novel and improved multiple spindleautomatic machine tool adapted to produce large numbers of identicalparts.

When forming headed parts in the conventional multiple spindle automaticscrew machine, it is necessary to provide the spindles with a chuckingdevice for holding the part during the various machining operations.With such an arrangement, it is common for foreign matter to becomelodged within the jaws of the chucking device. Upon such an occurrence,the parts being machined generally lose their concentricity. It is thennecessary to shut down the machine and clean the foreign material out ofthe chucking device. Before the defectiveness of the machined parts isdetected, however, the machine may have produced a comparatively largenumber thereof.

It is a major object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved multiple spindle automatic machine tool.

It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic machinetool especially adapted for machining headed parts and which employs aunique part-holding structure that eliminates the necessity of utilizingthe conventional chucking device.

A further object of the invention is to provide an auto.- matic machinetool of the aforedescribed nature capable of producing a very largenumber of parts without requiring any attention from the operator otherthan the feeding of unfinished parts thereinto. Additionally, theconcentricity and dimensions of the finished parts will remainsubstantially identical throughout the operational period.

In the conventional multiple spindle automatic screw machine thespindles are drivingly interconnected by a gear train. Such constructionresults in a machine which is heavy, complex, bulky and costly ofconstruction. Additionally, the cost of servicing and maintaining suchmachines is comparatively expensive. It is yet a further object of thepresent invention to provide a multiple spindle automatic machine toolwherein the spindlesare connected to a driving electric motor by anendless flexible element such as a belt. This arrangement results in aconstruction which is extremely light, compact and inexpensive to buildand maintain as compared to the heretofore-proposed spindle drivearrangements. This belttype arrangement also adds to the flexibility ofthe automatic machine tool embodying the present invention, in that itpermits the number of spindles being rotated to be varied by merelychanging the path of the flexible element.

Another object is to provide an automatic machine tool of the nature setforth immediately hereinabove wherein said spindles are automaticallybraked to a complete stop so as to permit a particular machiningoperation, such as tapping.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an automaticmachine tool which is light in weight and compact in size and having itsparts readily accessible.

An additional object of the invention is unique parts-feeding mechanismfor an automatic machine tool.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide an automaticmachine tool having a rotatable spindle table carrying a plurality ofspindles, each of the spindles being formed with a parts-receiving slot,a collet disposed in said spindle adjacent said slot and means forinserting and removing a headed part from said collet through saidparts-receiving slot.

Another specific object is to provide an automatic machine tool of thenature set forth immediately hereinabove wherein one of said spindles isautomatically oriented with parts-receiving slot in proper position forunloading a finished part and loading an unfinished part when thespindle table moves said spindle into align ment with the parts feedingmechanism.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred. form" of automaticmachine tool embodying the present inven- 1010 of Figure 9; v

Figure 11 is a side elevational view of said machine tool which has beenpartially taken in vertical section;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary top plan view of the portion of said machinetool shown below this figure in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a horizontally exploded view of a parts inserting unitemployed with said machine tool;

Figures 14 and 15 are side elevational views of two elements of saidparts inserting unit;

Figure 16 is an end View of said parts inserting unit taken partly invertical section;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary side elevational view of said parts insertingunit;

Figure 18 is a top plan view of said parts inserting unit;

Figure 18a is a vertical sectional view taken on line 18a18a of Figure18;

Figures 19, 20 and 21 are enlarged top plan views of a parts releasingmechanism employed with said parts;

Patented Jan. 31, 1961 to provide a inserting unit, and taken from the.point designated. 19 in Figure 11;

Figure 22, is a generally vertical sectional view taken on line 22-22 ofFigure 19;

Figure 23 is a generally vertically extending sectional view taken online 23-23 of Figure 19;

Figure 24 is a central vertical sectional view of a spindle employedwith said automatic machine tool;

Figure 24a is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 24a-24aof Figure 24;

Figure 25 is a view similar to Figure 24 but showing the parts of saidspindle arranged in a different position;

Figure 26 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 26-26 of Figure 25;

Figure 27 is another central sectional view of said spindle but showingits parts arranged in a locked-up P sit Figure 28 is a verticalsectional view taken on line 28-28 of Figure 11;

Figure 28a is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 28a-28a ofFigure 28;

Figure 28b is a fragmentary elevational view taken from the pointdesignated 28b in Figure 28a;

Figure 29 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the upper left handportion of Figure 28 with certain elements thereof shown in a differentposition;

Figure 30 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 30-30 of Figure1;

Figure 31 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 31-31of Figure 30;

Figure 32 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 32-32of Figure 30; and

Figure 33 is a fragmentary elevational view party in central verticalsection showing a tapping operation being performed by said machinetool.

General arrangement Referring to the drawings, the preferred form ofautomatic machine tool embodying the present invention includes a fixedbase housing B 'whereon are mounted a workpiece support unit W and toolsupport unit T. The workpiece support unit W rotatably supports a dsclike spindle table generally designated 50. The latter carries sevenequidistantly spaced spindles S1 through S7. E ch spindle is identicalin construction, and a collet 64 is supported by each spindle at its endproximate the tool support unit T. The spindles receive parts to beworked P from a feed mechanism F mounted upon the tool support unit T.Spindle table rotation is controlled by an indexing disc 65 that isdriven by a horizontal drive shaft 66 journaled within the base housingB. This drive shaft 66 is keyed to 'a sheave 67' that is connected bybelts 68 to a driving sheave of an electric motor 70 disposed within thebase housing B, as shown in Figures 30 and 32.

The operations performed upon the parts P are shown in Figures 2 through7, with the finished part appearing in Figure 8. Referring to thesefigures, the part P includes a shank 72 and a head 74. The raw parts areloaded and unloaded from the spindle S1 at the loadunload station shownin Figure 2. Next, the spindle table 50 is rotated counter-clockwise,relative to this figure one-seventh of a revolution so as to place thespindle S1 at the cut-off station. In this position the shank 72 of thepart is cut to exact length, as shown in Figure 3. The spindle table 50is then rotated counterclockwise another one-seventh of a revolution soas to place the spindle S1 at the chamfer station. The desired chamferis given to the free end of the shank 72 at this station, as indicatedin Figure 4. Next, the spindle table 50 is rotated counter-clockwiseanother one-seventh of a revolution so as to place the spindle S1 at thecenterdrill station. The free end of the shank 72 is center drilled atthis station, as indicated in Figure 5. The spindle table '50 isthereafter rotated another one-seventh of a revolution, so, as to placethe spindle S1 at the drill station. As indicated in Figure 6, the shank72 is drilled through at this station. The spindle table 56 is nextrotated another one-seventh of a revolution to the tap station. Asindicated in Figure 7, the shank 72 is tapped at this station. After thetapping operation is completed, the spindle table 50 is rotated to theinspection station. At this station, the dimensions of the completedpart P may be checked for tolerances. Finally, the spindle table isrotated at final one-seventh of a revolution to the original load-unloadstation. At this station the finished part P will be unloaded from thespindle S1 and a new part to be worked will thereafter be insertedtherein.

Indexing of the spindle table As shown particularly in Figure 11, thespindle table 50 is keyed to a horizontal indexing shaft that is carriedwithin a frame 82of the workpiece support unit W. The end of theindexing shaft 869 opposite the spindle table 50 is keyed to theindexing disc 65. As shown in Figure 9, the peripheral portion of theindexing disc 65 is formed with seven equidistantly-spaced notches N1through N7. Still referring to Figure 9, rotation is imparted to theindexing disc 65 by means of a crank 84. This crank 84 is journaled uponthe indexing shaft 80 outwardly of the indexing disc 65. Theintermediate portion of the crank 84 is formed with a bracket 86. Thisbracket 86 is pivotally connected to the upper end of a rod 88. Thelower end of the rod 88 is pivotally connected to the free end of a camfollower lever 96. The opposite end of the cam follower lever 9.0 ispivotally afi'ixed to a bracket 92 whichis in turn secured to a sidewall 94 of the base housing B. The intermed'ate portion of the camfollower lever carries a roller 96 that rides within a cam groove 28formed in a cam wheel 100. The cam wheel 100, as indicated in Figure 30,is keyed to the drive shaft 66 journaled within hte base housing B. Withthis arrangement, upon each rotation of the drive shaft 66, the free endof the cam follower lever 90 will be raised and lowered between itssolid and dotted outline positions of Figure 9. Such movement willeifect concurrent pivotal movement of the crank 84 between its dottedand solid outline positions of this figure.

The crank 84 is formed with a radially extending slot 102. As indicatedin Figures 9 and 10, a slider block 104 is slidably mounted for radialmovement within this s ot 192. The radially outer end of this sliderblock 104 fixedly carries a wedge-shaped drive dog 106. A post 108extends radially outwardly from this drive dog 1% through a radiallyextending bore 110 formed at the radially outer end of the crank 84. Acoil compression spring 112 is interposed between the radially outer endof the crank 84 and the drive dog 186 so as to constantly bias thelatter radially inwardly. The intermediate portion of the slider block104 is formed with a roller stud 114. This roller stud 114 is adapted tobe engaged by the upper end of a generally vertically extending lever116, the upper end of this lever being formed with a cam surface 118.The intermediate portion of the lever 116 is pivotally carried by abracket 120 affixed to the underside of the upper Wall 122 of the basehousing B. The lower end of the lever 116 is pivotally connected to oneend of a rod 124. The opposite end of this rod 124 is pivotallyconnected to a cam lever 126. The upper end of this cam lever 126 ispivotally affixed to a second bracket 128 secured to the underside ofthe upper wall 122. The lower end of this cam lever 126 carries a roller130. The roller 130 rides against the periphery of a second cam wheel.132 keyed to the drive shaft 66. With this arrangement, upon rotationof the drive shaft 66, the cam surface 118 of the lever 116 will bemoved between its solid and dotted outline positions of Figure 9. Whenthe lever 116 is disposed in its dotted outline position of this figure,its cam surface 118 will engage the roller stud 114 so as to maintainthe slider block 1 04 and its drive dog 106 in their dotted outlinepositions of Figure 10. At this time the radially inner end of the drivedog 108 will be maintained radially outwardly of the periphery of theindexing disc 65. When, however, the lever 116 is disposed in its solidoutline position of Figure 9, spring 112 will maintain the drive dog 108within one of the notches N of the indexing disc 65.

With continued reference to Figure 9, a locking lever 136 is positionedat the lower portion of the indexing disc 65. One end of this lockinglever 136 is pivotally atfixed to a bracket 138 that is secured to theupper surface of the base housing wall 122. The opposite arm of thelocking lever 138 is formed with a generally wedgeshaped pawl 140 thatis adapted to be received by the notches N. The pawl 140 is constantlybiased radially inwardly towards the indexing disc 65 by a plunger 142.The plunger 142 is slidably carried by a tube 144 having its endopposite the plunger pivotally affixed to a bracket 146 that is securedto one side of the base housing wall 122. A coil compression spring 148is disposed behind the plunger 142. The intermediate portion of thelocking lever 136 is formed with an offset 152 that is pivotally affixedto the upper end of a generally vertically extending actuating rod 154.The lower end of this actuating rod 154 is pivotally connected to thefree end of a generally horizontally extending cam.

lever 156. The opposite end of this carn lever 156 is pivotally affixedto a bracket 158 that is secured to the side wall 160 of the basehousing B, as shown in Figure 30. The intermediate portion of the camlever 156 carries a roller 162. This roller 162 rides against theperiphery of the second cam wheel 132 that is keyed to the drive shaft66. With this arrangement, upon rotation of the drive shaft 66, the freeend of the locking lever 136 will be moved between its solid and dottedoutline positions of Figure 9 so as to alternately insert and withdrawthe pawl 140 from within the notches N of the indexing disc 65.

The foregoing arrangement effects intermittent rotation of the spindletable 50 in increments of one-seventh of a revolution in the followingmanner. Assuming that the drive shaft 66 and hence the cam Wheels 100and 132 are undergoing rotation, the crank 84 will be pivoted back andforth between its uppermost dotted outline position of Figure 9 and itslowermost solid outline position of this figure. The geometry of the camwheels 100 and 132 and their attached levers and rods is so arrangedthat at such time as the crank 84 is in its uppermost dotted outlineposition, the drive dog 106 will be seated within one of the notches N.With the drive dog 106 so disposed the crank 84 will be pivoted clock-Wise one-seventh of a revolution to its solid outline position of Figure9.

Thereafter, the lobe 170 of the cam wheel 132 will engage the roller 130of the cam lever 126 so as to cause the lever 116 to be pivoted to theright from its solid to its dotted outline position of Figure 9. Thelever 116 will mus cam the roller stud 114 and hence the slider block104 and the drive dog 106 radially outwardly relative to the crank 84.In this manner the radially inner end of the drive dog 106 will be movedoutwardly of the periphery of the index disc 65. With the drive dog 106disposed outwardly of the periphery of the indexing disc 65, the crank84 will be returned in a counter-clockwise direction to its originaldotted outline position of Figure 9. During this counterclockwisemovement of the crank, the drive dog 106 will slide along the peripheryof the indexing disc. At the conclusion of the counter-clockwisemovement of the crank 84, the roller stud 114 will have slipped off theupper end of the lever 116 so as to permit the spring 112 to snap thedrive dog 106 radially inwardly into the notch immediately adjacent thefirst notch engaged by the drive dog.

During the time the crank 84 is undergoing the aforedescribed clockwisemovement so as to impart concurrent clockwise rotation of the indexingdisc 65, the roller 162 of the cam lever 156 will be engaged by the camlobe 170 so as to maintain the lock lever 136 in its solid outlineposition of Figure 9. In this position, the pawl 140 will be maintainedradially outwardly of the periphery of the indexing disc 65. When,however, the crank 84 reaches its lowermost position shown in solidoutline in Figure 9, the roller 162 of the cam lever 156 will haverolled i the lobe of the cam 132. The spring-pressed plunger 142 willthen be free to urge the pawl 140 into one of the notches N. The pawl140 will remain in this position until the crank 84 again commencesclockwise movement from its dotted outline position of Figure 9. Beforesuch clockwise rotation begins, the lobe 170 of the cam 132 will againmove the free end of the cam lever 156 downwardly so as to retract thepawl 140 from the notch N within which it is seated. The indexing disc65 and hence the spindle table 50 will then be free to undergo anotherincrement of rotation.

Construction of the spindles The construction of the spindles S isparticularly shown in Figures 11 and 24 through 27. Each of the spindlesincludes a flanged housing 200 which is affixed by bolts 202 Within abore 204 formed in the spindle table 50. The front portion of eachhousing 200 is of reduced diameter and is externally threaded to receivea retainer nut 208. The retainer nut 208 secures a front bearingassembly 210 to the front portion of the housing 200. A rear bearingassembly 212 is carried by the rear portion of the housing 200. Thebearing assemblies 210 and 212 rotatably support a sleeve 214. The frontportion of the sleeve 214 is formed with a transversely extendingparts-receiving slot 216. The front wall of the sleeve 214 is formedwith a bore 218 that threadably receives the collet 64. The collet 64includes a coaxial bore 220 and its rear surface 222 conforms to theprofile of the underside of the head 74 of the part P, as indicated inFigures 25 and 26.

The sleeve 214 axially slidably supports a lockup plunger, generallydesignated 224. The head 226 of this lock-up plunger 224 has an outerdiameter which is somewhat less than the inner diameter of the sleeve214. The shank 228 of the lock-up plunger 224 extends through a tube 230having a front collar 232 corresponding in diameter to the head 226. Therear end of the shank 228 is externally threaded to receive a pair ofnuts 234. The adjacent end of the tube 230 is also externally threadedto receive a lock-up nut element 236. The portion of the tube 230rearwardly of the collar 232 is of reduced diameter relative to theinner diameter of the sleeve 214. A retainer sleeve 238 encompasses therear portion of the tube 230. A rear coil compression spring 240 isinterposed between the front end of this retainer sleeve 238 and ashoulder 242 formed on the intermediate portion of the sleeve 214. Asecond more powerful front coil compression spring 244 is interposedbetween the rear of the head 226 and the front end of the collar portionof the sleeve 214 is externally threaded to receive a ring 248. Thisring 248 locks up the front bearing assembly 210, the rear bearingassembly 212 and the she-ave 246 through the medium of lock-up sleeve243 in place upon the sleeve. The ring 248 also pivotally supports thefront end of a pair of diametrically opposed latch fingers 250 and 252.These latch fingers are identical in construction and the rear end ofeach is formed with a hook element 254. The hook elements 254 areconstantly biased radially inwardly by compression springs 256interposed between the ring 248 and the front portion of the lacthfingers 250 and 252.

In Figures 11 and 24, 25 and 26 the spindle S1 is arranged. at theload-unload" station. When the spindle S1 arrives at this station, theplunger. 224 will bedisa disposed in its forward position of Figure, 24,the head 226 of this plunger abutting the head 72 of the part P so as tomaintain the latter within the collet 64. Thereafter, a release tubeassembly 269 in a manner to be fully described hereinafter, will causethe plunger 224 to be retracted to its position of Figures 25 and 26.With the plunger in such retracted position, the machined part PF may beunloaded from the collet 64 and an u.nfinished part P. inserted therein.Finally, after the unfinished part P has been inserted within thecollet, the plunger will again be urged to its forward or locked-upposition shown in Figure 27.

In this forward or locked-up position of Figure 27, the front end of theplungers head 226 abuts the head 72 of the part P so as to maintain theunderside of the parts head firmly pressed against the rear surface 22-2of the collet 64. The plunger 224 is maintained in this position by theforce of the front spring 244. In this regard, the front spring 244tends to effect the rearward movement of the tube 23.0 relative to thesleeve 214. Such rearward movement is prevented, however, by theengagement of the latch fingers 25%) and 252 with the lock-up nutelement.236. The full force of the front spring 244 therefore serves tourge the plunger 224 forwardly relative to the tube 230 and hence thesleeve 214.

When a machined part is to be loaded and unloaded from the spindle, therelease tube assembly 26% is moved forwardly towards the rear of thespindle by a mechanism to be fully described hereinafter. The releasetube assembly 260 includes an outer tube element 262, the frontend ofwhich is tapered radially outwardly and rearwardly so as to provide acam surface 263, and a coaxial inner tube element 264. Referring now toFigure 24, the inner tubeelement 264 is first moved forwardly againstthe rear end of the lock-up nut element 236 so as to urge the tube 230and the plunger 224 to the right in this figure. In this manner thefront spring 244 is further compressed and the latch fingers 250 and 252are maintained in their radially inner positions solely under theinfluence of the small springs 256. The outer tube element 262 is thenmoved forwardly and its tapered surface 263 will cam the latch fingers250 and 252 radially outwardly of their position of Figures 25 and 26.Such movement of the latch fingers permits the rear spring 240 to snapthe tube 236 and hence the plunger 224 rearwardly to their position ofFigures 25 and 26, the rear surface of the lock-up nut element 236engaging the front of the inner tube element 264 of the release tubeassembly 260, which inner tube eement has been moved rearwardly, asshown in these two figures. A completed part PF may then be unloadedfrom the collet 64- and an unfinished part inserted therein. As shown inFigure 26, the finished part PF will fall into the upper end of asuitable chute 265. Thereafter, the outer tube element 262 of therelease tube assembly 260 is moved rearwardly and the inner tube element264 is again moved forwardy so as to urge the tube 270 and plunger 224forwardly within the sleeve 214. The lacth fingers 256' and 252 willthen be snapped inwardly by springs 256 whereby their hooks 254 mayengage the lock-up nut element 236, as shown in Figure 27. In thismanner, the plunger 224 will positively retain the newly-loaded part Pin place within the collet 64 during the subsequent machiningoperations.

The operating mechanism for the release tube assembly 260 As shown inFigure 11, the outer tube element 262 of the release tube assembly 260is slidably supported by an upper extension 270 of the frame 32 foraxial movement toward and away from the spindle table 50. Both the outertube element 262 and the innner tube element 264 are coaxial with thespindle S1 when the latter is disposed in the load-unload position. Theendof .the

outer tube element 262 opposite the spindle S1 isformed with agroovedcollar 272, The. inner tube element 264- is coaxially slidably supportedwithin the outer tube element 262 for axial movement towards and awayfrom the spindle S1.

274. As shown in Figure 12, a first shifting fork 276 of the collar 274of the inner tube element 264. The lower end of the shifting fork 276 isaffixed to one side of a horizontal shaft 280 pivotally supported byframe- 82. Similarly the lower end of the second shifting fork 278 isafixed to one side of a horizontal shaft 282 that.

is pivotally supported by frame 82. The opposite sides of theshafts 280and 282 are aflixed to the rear ends of' first and second legs 284 and286, respectively, parallel with the tube elements 262 and 264. Thefront endof' the leg 284 of the shifting fork 276 is pivotally connectedto the upper end of a vertically extending rod v 7 Likewise, the frontend of the leg 286 of second. shifting arm 278 is pivotally affixed tothe upper end of aseco nd vertically extending rod 290 Referring now toFigures 30 and 31, the lower end of the rod 288 is pivotally'affixed toone endof the horizontally extending cam lever 292. Similarly, the lowerend of the rod 296 is pivotally affixed to the free end of a second generally horizontally'extending cam lever 294. The opposite ends of thecam levers 292 and 294 are pivotally aflixed to a bracket 296 that is inturn secured to the side wall 94 of the base housing B. The intermediateportion of the cam lever 292.carries a cam follower 29 8 while theintermediate portion of the cam lever 294 Can ries a cam follower 300.The cam' follower 2 98 of the cam. lever 292 is disposed within a camgroove 3tl2 forrned in a cam wheel 304. This cam wheel 304 is keyed tothe drive shaft 66. The other cam follower 306 is likewise disposedwithin a cam groove 366 formed in a second cam wheel 308 that is keyedto the drive shaft 66.

In theoperation of the release tube assembly 66, rotation of the drive.shaft 66 effects concurrent rotation of the'cam wheels 304 and 308.Rotation of these cam wheels will effect vertical reciprocation of therods 28$ and 290 as the cam followers 298 and'300 follow the cam grooves302 and 366. Such vertical reciprocation of the rods 283 and 290 willeffect pivotal movement of the shifting forks 276 and 278. This pivotalmovement of the shifting forks will in turn effect axial reciprocationof the outer and inner tube elements 262 and 264, respectively, towardsand away from the spindle disposed in the loadunload position in themanner described hereinbefore in conjunction with the description of thespindles.

Construction of the feed mechanism F Referring to Figure 1, the feedmechanism F includes. an inserter unit, generally designated 350. Thisinserter unit 356 is adapted toreceive an unfinished part P from thelower end of the feed chute 352 of a conventional electric-poweredvibratory parts unloading device 354. This device 354 is mounted at theupper portion of the tool support unit T and its construction andoperation do not form part of the present invention. The unfinished partP received by the inserter unit 350 is positioned within the collet 64of the spindle S1 disposed in the load-unload station.

The details of the inserter unit 350 are shown particularly in Figures13 through 23. Referring to these figures, the inserter unit 350includes a horizontal shaft 360 rotatably supported between an uprightsupport wall 362' and an upright side plate 363. The support wall 362extends between the upper portion of the tool supporting unit T and theunderside of the feed chute 352. The. side plate 363 is rigidlyaffixedto the support plate 362 by The end of the inner tube elem n g264; opposite the spindle S1 is formed with a grooved collar;

horizontal bars 364 and 365. The shaft 360 and the bars 364 and 365 aredisposed transversely relative to the axis of rotation of the spindletable 50. A sleeve 366 having a collar 367 at one end is pinned to theshaft 360. The end of this sleeve 366 opposite collar 367 is threadablysecured to a second collar 368. Journaled upon the intermediate portionof the sleeve 366 is a ring 369. This ring is atfixed to a radiallyextending rocker arm 370 having a fixed finger 371 formed on its outerend. A pair of bearing blocks 372 and 373 are afiixed to the rocker arm370; These blocks journal a radially extending post 374. The radiallyouter end of the post 374 is formed with a parts-grasping finger 376.This partsgrasping finger 376 is aligned with the fixed finger 371 andits free end is formed with a hook 378 adapted to receive the shank 72of an unfinished part P, as indicated in Figure 18. A coil torsionspring 375 carried by the post 374 constantly biases the parts-graspingfinger 376 towards the fixed finger 371. The radially inner end of thepost 374 is keyed to a dog 380. The ring 369 also fixedly carries a stopelement 382 that extends parallel to the horizontal shaft 360.

Adjacent one side of the ring, 369, a disc 384 is affixed to the sleeve366. This disc 384 is formed at one point on its peripheral portion witha wedge-shaped cam block 386 that is arranged in the circumferentialpath of the dog 380. A ring element 392 is journaled on the sleeve 366adjacent the disc 384. This ring element 392 is afiixed to the radiallyinner end of a parts-release arm 394. A coil compression spring 396 isinterposed between the collar 367 and the adjoining surface of the ringelement 392. A second coil compression spring 400 is interposed betweenthe collar 368 and the side of the ring 369 opposite the disc 384. Theshaft 360 extends through the support wall 362 and is keyed to a pinion402, as will be clear from Figures 16 and 17. The pinion 402 is engagedwith a sector gear 404. This sector gear 404 is pivotally carried by astud shaft 406 that is mounted in the support wall 362. The sector gear404 is pivoted back and forth by a horizontally extending rod 408 towhich this gear is pivotally attached by a bolt and nut combination 410.The rod 408 is reciprocated in the manner indicated by the directionalarrow in Figure 17 by a mechanism to be described hereinafter.

It should be observed that pivotal movement of the sector gear 404 willefiect concurrent rotation of the horizontal shaft 360 and hence thesleeve member 366 and the disc 384. Such rotation is transferred to therocker arm ring 369 and to the ring 392 of the partsrelease arm 394because of the compressive pressure applied by the springs 396 and 400.The arcuate extent of the rocking movement of the rocker arm 366 iscontrolled by a pair of set screws 412 and 414 mounted upon the upperand lower bars 364 and 365, respectively, these set screws being engagedby the rocker arm's stop element 382 as the rocker arm is pivotedbetween its uppermost and lowermost positions. Upon such engagement,however, the shaft 160, sleeve 366 and disc 384 will continue to rotatethrough the total number of degrees imparted by the pinion 402 andsector gear 404.

Referring now to Figures 13, 16 and 24 through 27, the aforedescribedparts are so arranged that during downward movement of the rocker arm370 from its uppermost part-receiving position to its lowermostpartrelease position, the dog 380 will be in sliding. engagement withthe adjoining face of the disc 384. At this time, the spring 375 willmaintain the parts-grasping finger 376 in its solid outline position ofFigures 13 and 16, i.e. proximate the fixed finger 370 and firmlyholding the unfinished part P. When the rocker arm 370 reaches itslowermost or loading position shown in Figure 26, the stop element 382will engage the upper set screw 412. This will prevent further downwardmovement of the rocker arm. At this time the plunger 224 of the spindle81 will be in its retracted position of Figures 25 and 26 so as topermit the finished part to be pushed out of the collet (in a manner tobe described hereinafter), and also to permit the unfinished part Pcarried by the rocker arm 370 to be lowered into the spindlesparts-receiving slot 216. After the rocker arm 370 has aligned the shank72 of the unfinished part P with the bore 220 of the collet 64, it stopsand the spindle plunger 224 will move forward to a point where part P ispushed slightly into collet 64. In this position, part P is held betweenthe front end of plunger 226 and spring loaded pushout rod 490. Disc 384now rotates and cam block 386 wipes along the dog 380. As such wipingtakes place, the dog 380 will effect rotation of the post 374 so as tomove the parts grasping finger 376 away from the fixed finger 371 to itsdotted outline position of Figure 13. Accordingly, the unfinished part Pwill be left suspended between plunger 226 and rod 490. The shaft 360will now commence rotation in the opposite direction so as to raise therocker arm 368 until fingers 371 and 376 are away from opening 216.Plunger 224 now continues its forward movement to lock-up position ofFigure 27. Pushout rod 490 retracts until clear of the protruding end ofpart P. Shaft 360, in the meantime, has continued to rotate so as toraise the rocker arm 368 until the stop 382 engages the lowerset screw414. As the rocker arm is raised, the rocker arm 369 and the disc 384will rotate in unison with the shaft 360 since the dog 380 is still inengagement with the cam block 386, the parts-grasping finger 376remaining spaced from the fixed finger 371. Accordingly, when the rockerarm reaches its uppermost position the fingers 371 and 376 will bespread apart to receive the shank of the next unfinished part to beworked, the latter being disposed at the lower end of the feed chute352. With this part disposed adjacent the hook 378 the disc 384 willcontinue rotating in unison with the shaft 360 until the dog 380 slidesoff the cam block 386' and the parts-grasping finger 376 will be againurged toward the fixed finger 371 whereby the newly-received part P willbe retained in the hook 378.

With continued reference to Figures 13 through 23, the parts-release arm394 actuates a parts releasing mechanism disposed at the lower portionof the feed chute 352. This mechanism includes a gate member, generallydesignated 420. As shown in Figures 19, 22 and 23, the gate member 420is pivotally attached to a generally L-shaped bracket 422 by avertically extending pivot pin 424. The support bracket 422 is rigidlyaffixed to the support wall 362 by bolts 426. The underside of thebracket 422 is secured to the feed chute 352 by bolts 428. One side ofthe gate 420 is formed with a vertically extending bore 430. This bore430 receives the upper end of the partsrelease arm 394 and preferablythis upper end will be of reduced width as compared to the major portionof this arm. With this arrangement, the gate 420 will undergo horizontalpivotal movement relative to its support plate 422 across the feed chute352, as indicated in Figures 20 and 21. The extent of such pivotalmovement will be controlled by means of an abutment pin 432 formed onthe rear portion of the gate 420. This pin 432 is disposed between apair of upstanding posts 436 and 438 mounted upon the top surface of thesupport plate 422. The gate 420 is also formed with a pair of releasepins 440 and 442. These pins 440 and 442 extend through a pair ofopenings 444 and 446, respectively, formed through the opposite sidewalls of the feed chute 352. As will be clear from Figures 20, 21 and23, these fingers 440 and 442 serve to release a single part P formovement towards the lower end of the feed chute 352 during eachpivoting cycle of the gate 420. In this regard, the gate 420 will bemoved to its parts releasing position of Figure 20 when the rocker arm370 is in its uppermost position of Figure 11.

Referring now to Figures 17, 18, 30 and 32, the feed mechanism F isdriven by the drive shaft 66. Thus, as indicated in Figures 30 and 32, adrive sprocket 450 is keyed to the drive shaft 6 6. This drive sprocket4 50- is coupledto a driven sprocket 452 by means of a conventionalchain 454. The driven sprocket 45 2 is keyed to the input shaft of aconventional right angle gear unit 456, which unit 456 is affixed to theside wall 94 of the base housingB. The output shaft of the gear unit 456is keyed to a vertically extending shaft 458. With particular referenceto Figures 18 and 180 the upper end of the vertically extending shaft458 is keyed to an upper cam wheel 460 disposed above the upper wall 122of the base housing B. The periphery of this upper cam wheel 46% is inwiping engagement with a cam follower roller 462 affixed to oneend of agenerally V-shaped cam lever 464. The intermediate portion of this camlever 462 is afiixed to the housing wall 122 by vertically extendingpivot pin .66. The opposite end of the cam lever 464 is pivotallyattached to the aforedescribed rod 403. This rod has its opposite endpivotally attached to the pinion 464, as shown particularly inFigure 17.With this arrangement, rotation of the upper cam wheel will effect thedesired pivotal movement of the sector gear 404.

The parts ejecting mechanism With continued reference to Figures 18 and18a, it will be observed that a lower earn 470 is keyed to the verticalshaft 458 below the housing wall 122. The periphery of this lower cam470 is in wiping engagement with a cam follower 472 carried by one endof a cam lever 474. The intermediate portion of this cam lever 474 ispivotally aifixed to the housing wall 122 by vertically extending pivotpin 476. The opposite end of the cam lever 474 is formed with agenerally rectangular recess 478. This recess 478 receives a roller 480that de pends from the underside of a horizontally disposed slide 482,as will be clear from Figures 11 and 18a. 'This slide 482 is supportedby rollers 484 carried by the base housing B so as to be movablehorizontally towards and away from the spindle table 50, between itspositions of Figures 25 and 26. Such reciprocal movement of the slide482 is obtained by rotation of the lower cam 470 through the medium ofthe cam lever 478 and its attached elements.

The front portion of the slide 482 carries a push-out pin 4% whichserves to first push a completed part P from within the collet 64 andthereafter backs up the unfinished part replacing the finished part.This ejector pin 4% is aligned with the bore 221) of the collet 64. Asshown particularly in Figures 11 and 24a, this pin is supported within acylinder 492. The cylinder 492 is afiixed to the slide 482 by means ofbolts 494. The end of the cylinder 492 remote from the spindle table 50is formed with a plug 496. This plug 496 is centrally apertured toreceive a tube 498. The opposite end of this tube 498 is formed with acollar 500 which is slidable within the cylinder 492. A coil compressionspring 502 is interposed between the collar 500 and the plug 496. Theend of the tube opposite the collar 500 is formed with a disc-like stop504 that abuts the plug 496 under. the influence of the spring 502. Theejector pin 490 is axially adjustable relative to the tube 498 by meansof a set screw 586. l in Actuation of the tools Referring now to Figures1 through 7, 11 and 30, the tools mounted upon the tool support unit Tinclude a cutting off tool unit 529. This cutting off tool unit includesa conventional tool 522 which is caused to inove transversely relativeto the part P by suitable linkage. The power required to effect suchtransverse movement of the tool 522 comes from the drive shaft 66 bymeans to be described hereinafter. The chamfering operation of Figure 4is carried out by a suitable chamfering tool unit 524 that is rigidlysecured to a sub-frame 526 of the tool support unit T. The chamferingunit includes a conventional tool523. This tool 528 is caused to re:ciprocate transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of the part Pby suitable linkage. This tool is also powered from the drive shaft d6Thus, referring to Figure 30, a cam wheel 530 is keyed to the driveshaft 66 at a point intermediate cam wheels 2 94 and 4t). The cam wheel53d is formed with a suitable groove 532 that receives a cam followerroller 534, the latter being formed on the free end of a cam lever 536.The opposite end of this cam lever. 536 is pivotally afiixed to abracket 538 secured to theside wall of the base housing B. Theintermediate'portion of the cam lever 536 is pivotally connected to thelower end of a generally vertically extending rod 540 The upper end ofthe rod 540 is pivottally connected to a generally l-shaped lever 542.The intermediate portion of this lever 542 is pivotally connected to theaforedescribed subframe 526. The opposite end of the -shaped lever 542is pivotally connected to the operating mechanism of the chamfering toolunit 524. The intermediate portion of this lever 522 is also pivotallyconnected to a link 544 having its opposite end pivotally connected tothe lower end of a rod 546. Theupper end of this rod 546 is pivotallyconnected to one end of another link 548. The opposite end of this link548 is'connect ed to the operating mechanism of the cutting off toolunit 522. With this arrangement, upon rotation of the drive shaft 66transverse movement of the cutting off tool 522 and the charnfering tool528 will be accomplished, such transverse movement being properly timedwith respect to theoperations of the other components of the apparatus;

Referring now to Figures 5, 6; 7 and 11, the center drill, drill and tapoperations are effected by con; ventional tools, the details of whichare not included within the st ps of the present invention. The center;

drilli operation is. accomplished by a compressed air-ap tuated drillingunit, generally designated 550. This unit 550 includes a drilling head552 which is advanced and retraeted relative to the spindle table inorder that its electric motor driven-bit 554 may center drill the shank7-2 of the part P. being worked. The drill operation is effected by asimilar unit horizontally aligned with the unit 550 inFigure 11 andtherefore hidden thereby in this figure. This drill unit issubstantially identical to the center drill unit 550 and includes a bit556 which forms a coaxial bore 558 through the shank 72 of thepart Pbeing worked. The tap operation is; effected by a tapping unit,generally designated 560, and similar in con-. struction and operationto the center drill and drill units, This tap unit 560 includes a head562 that is advanced and retracted relative to the spindle table 50.This head .62 carries a tap. 5 64. which threads the bore 558 formedthrough the shank 72 at the drill station. With particular referencetoFigure 33, it should be noted that the head 226 of the lock-up plunger224 is formed with a chiprelease opening 599 that extends rearwardly andradially outwardly from the rear surface of the collet 64. Thisarrangement permits the escape of chips 601 formed by the top 564, thesechips passing from the chip-release opening 599 through theparts-receiving slot 216 of the sleeve 214. The movement of the centerdrill, drill and tap tools is properly timed with respect to the othercomponents of the apparatus in a conventional manner, the details ofwhich are not included within thescope of the present invention.

Rotation and braking of the spindles being fixedly mounted upon theupper frame: 82; of the workpiece supporting unit W. The drive shaft ofthe motor 600is keyed to a drive sheave 606. Rotation of center drilland drill stations. The idler pulley 612 maintains the belts 608 out ofcontact with the spindle sheaves 246 when the latter are disposed at thetap station. Additionally, when the spindle sheaves 246 are disposed atthe inspection and load-unload stations, they are spaced inwardly of thebelts 608. It should be particularly observed, however, that by removingthe idler sheave 612 from the path followed by the belt 608 and byeither shortening the lengths of these belts or adjusting the positionof the motor relative to the workpiece supporting unit W, the beltscould be engaged with the sheave 246 of the spindle disposed at the tapstation. This arranvement adds to the flexibility of operation of thepresent apparatus.

It should be observed that although the spindles are undergoing rotationwhile disposed at the drill station, it is essential that they be brakedto a stop when they are moved to the tap station. The apparatus foreffecting braking of the spindles is shown particularly ,in Figures 28,28a, 28b and 29. Referring thereto, it will be observed that a pair ofaligned brake shoes 620 are keyed to a shaft 622 that is pivotallysupported between verti-,

cally extending walls 624 and 626 of the upper frame 82 of the workpiecesupport unit W. These brake shoes 620 are aligned with a pair of groovesformed in the spindle sheaves 246 when the latter are disposed at thetap station. The end of the shaft 622 opposite the shoes 620.

is keyed to the upper end of a downwardly extending rocker lever 628.The lower portion of this lever 628 is disposed within a slot 630 formedin the intermediate portion of a spring block 631. The spring block 631is aflixed to one side of the frame wall 626 by bolts 632. As shownparticularly in Figure 28b, a coil compression spring 634 is carried bythe spring block 632 and extends into the slot 630 so as to constantlybias the lower portion'of the rocker lever '628 towards the spindlesheave such spindle movement, the spindles sheave 246 will engage thebrake shoes 620 and pivot them out of the path followed by the sheave.Such brake shoe movement is permitted because of the disposition of thelower portion of the rocker lever 628 within the slot 630 of the block631, this lever being pivoted from its solid to its dotted line positionof this figure as the brake shoes are pushed out of the path of thespindle sheave 246. 'Orienting of the spindles When the spindles aredisposed at the inspection station it is desirable that they be rotatedthrough one or more revolutions at a comparatively low rotational speed.During such rotation, the measurments and concentricity of the finishedpart P may be checked. Referring to Figure 28a, such rotation isaccomplished by a third electric motor 640 mounted at the upper portionof the frame 82 of the workpiece supporting unit W. This electric motor640 is coupled to a gear box 642, the output shaft 643 of which is keyedto a drive sprocket 644. The output shaft 643 extends coaxially througha sleeve 646 which is pivotally supported upon the frame wall 624 of ahub element 647. The sleeve 646 is rigidly secured to the lower end ofan upwardly extending arm 648. The arm 648 supports at its upper portiona shaft 650 that is parallel to the output shaft 643 of the gear box642. The shaft 650 journals a sleeve 652, and a driven sprocket 654 iskeyed to the sleeve 652 adjacent the arm 658. This driven sprocket 654is connected to the drive sprocket 644 by a suitable chain 656. Afriction wheel 658 is keyed to the end of the sleeve 652 remote from thearm 648. The peripheral portion of this friction wheel 658 is alignedwith one of the grooves of the sheave 246 of spindle S7. The upper endof the arm 648 is integrally formed with a bracket 660 having its upperend formed with a latch dog 662. The upper portion of the latch dog 662is formed with a generally horizontally extending bore 664. The outerportion of a push rod 666 is slidably disposed within the bore 664.

Inner and outer blocks 668 and 670, respectively, arev afiixed to theouter portion of the push rod 666. An inner coil compression spring 672is interposed between the inner block 668 and the latch dog 664 while asecond coil compression spring 674 is interposed between the outer block670 and the latch dog 664. The opposite end of the push rod 666 ispivotally affixed to a generally V- shaped lever 676, shown particularlyin Figures 11 and 12. The mid-portion of the arm 676 is pivotallyaffixed to the upper extension 270 of the frame 82 of the workpiecesupporting unit W. The opposite end of the arm 676 is pivotally afi'ixedto one end of a second rod 678. The opposite end of the rod 678 ispivotally afiixed to the upper rod of an upward extension 680 of theshifting fork 276. As described hereinbefore, the lower end of thisshifting fork 276 is affixed to the aforedescribed horizontal shaft 280pivotally supported by the frame extension 270. With this arrangement,movement of the shifting fork 276 in the manner described hereinbeforewill effect concurrent movement of the extension 680, the rod 678 andthe arm 676 so as to effect reciprocation of the push rod 666 along itslongitudinal axis between its positions of Figures 28 and 29.

The lower end of the latch dog 662 cooperates with a notch 686 formed atthe free end of a latch finger 687.

The opposite end of the latch finger 687 is pivotally affixed to arocker member 688 by a pivot bolt 689. A

spring 690 secure-d to the rocker member 688 constantly biases the freeend of the latch finger 687 upwardly relative to Figures 28 and 29. Theradially inner end of the rocker member 688 is secured to the frame 82by a pivot pin 691. At its intermediate portion, the lower part of thisguide arm 688 is formed with a guide strip 692. The guide strip 692 isarranged to be engaged with the flat surfaces 694 formed on the rings248 of each of the spindles S. These flats 694 are parallel to oneanother spaced in diametric opposition relative to each ring. Theleading edge of the guide strip 692 is flared, as indicated at 696, tofacilitate alignment of the flats 694 with the main portion of the guidestrip. The op posite end of the guide strip 692 terminates adjacent theleading edge of an anchoring strip 700. This anchoring strip 700 isformed at the lower portion of a support block 702 that is affixed tothe upper frame 76 of the workpiece support unit W. The anchoring strip700 is designed to maintain the flats 694 of a spindle S1 disposed atthe load-unload station substantially horizontal relative to the spindletable 50. Accordingly, inasmuch as the parts-receiving slot 216 of thespindle S1 is disposed at a right angle relative to these flats, thisslot will be automatically and positively arranged in the properposition to admit lower portion of the rocker arm 370 of the partsinserter unit 350.

With particular reference to Figure 28, during the time the spindletable is stopped with the spindle S7 disposed at the inspection station,the push rod 666 will be in t ti h hand: o iti n 01? h s fi ur andfriction h 658 will be in frictional engagement with the spindles sheave246. Accordingly, rotation of the third electric motor 640 will betransferred to the sheave S7 and in spection of the part P carriedthereby may be accomplished. At this time, the latch dog 662 will bedisposed within the notch 686 of the latch finger 687, While the rockermember 688 will be rising and falling independently of the latch fingeron the flats 694 of the spindle. After the friction wheel 658 hasrotated the spindle through the desired number of revolutions the pushrod 666 will be moved to the left to its position of Figure 29 by meansof-the aforedescribed push rod actuating mechanism. Accordingly, theinner spring 672 will be compressed beyond its original condition andthe magnitude of the outward force exerted by this spring upon the latch6.62. will be increased over its original value. When one of the flats694 of the spindle S7 is then rotated into the position indicated inFigure 29, i. e. generally aligned with the guide strip 6%, the latchfinger 687 will pivot in a counter-clockwise direction from its positionof Figure 28 to that of Eigure 29 in unison with the, rocker member 688,such movement being permitted because of the tendency of theoverly-compressed inner spring 672 to push the latch dog 662 out of thenotch 686. With the latch dog 662 displaced from the notch 686 the up,-per portion of the arm 648 will be urged away from the spindle S7 andits friction wheel 658 is withdrawn from engagement with the spindlefssheave 246. With one of the spindle flats 694 abutting the adjacent sideof the guide strip 692, during rotation of spindle table 50 so asv tobring the spindle S7 into the, load-unload? station, the flat 694 willslide along the guide strip 692 and onto. the anchor strip 790.Accordingly, when the spindle S7 stops at the load-unload station, itsparts-receiving slot 216 will be disposed in the proper position topermit the finished pant to be unloaded from the collet 6.4 and a newunfinished part to be inserted therein.

General operation In the operation of the aforedescribed machine, theelectric motors 70, 690 and 640 will be switched on so as to effectrotation of the drive shaft 66, the spindles disposed at the cut-off,chamfer, center-drill and drill stations, and of the friction wheel 658,Rotation of the drive shaft- 66 will effect concurrent rotation of thecam wheels 160, 156, 3414, 308 andS Stl-keyed thereto. Accordingly, theindexing disc 65 and spindle, table 50 will be caused to undergo theirperiodic rotational movement so as to move the spindles S from onestation to the next. Likewise, the inserter unit 350 will beset intomotion through the medium of the chain 454 and the elements drivinglyconnected thereto so as, to load unfinished parts into the spindledisposed at; the loadunload station. The cut-off tool unit 5720 and thechamfering tool unit 524. will likewise be actuated upon rotation of thedrive shaft 66. As noted hereinbefore, the center drill, drill andtapping units will be automatically advanced and retracted relative tothe parts being machined in properly timedrelationship with the movementof the other elements of the machine by a conventional electricswitching arrangement, Preferably, this electrical switching arrangementwill be suitably interconnected with a control circuit in such a mannerthat upon the malfunction of-any one of these three units, the driveshaft 66 will be stopped. This controlcirc uit shouldpreferably also beconnected with the cutting-01f tool unit 5261, the chamfering tool unit524 andthe parts ejecting mechanism carried on the slide 482 It iscontemplated that .thiscontrol circuit be suitably connected toaconventional single revolution clutch 398 so as to. effect itsactuation. Referring to Figure 32, this clutch 68.. includes a trip cam960 keyed to the drive shaft 66 adiacentthe sheave. 67 and formed withastep 902 This step EfiZjeengagedbythefree endof; an electric solenoid-16 operated trip bar 904 so as to effect an immediate braking of thedrive shaft 66 upon the malfunction of any member arranged in thecontrol circuit. Accordingly, the machine operator will be immediatelyapprised of such malfunction.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the automaticmachine tool of the present invention is adapted to produce machinedparts that are concentric and accurately dimensioned. Such machine,moreover, may be constructed and maintained at less expense thanconventional automatic screw machines. It is also lighter in Weight andmore compact in size than such heretofore proposed machines.

It, will also be apparent that various modifications and changes may bemade with respect to the foregoing description without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. An automatic machine tool for machining parts having a head and ashank, comprising; a frame; a spindle table rotatably supported by saidframe; a plurality of spindles rotatably carried by said spindle table,said spindles being progressively moved from a first station at whichunfinished parts are loaded thereinto and finished parts are removedtherefrom to a plurality of additional stations by rotation of saidspindle table,

and each of said spindles being formed with a parts-- receiving openingthat extends transversely to the spindlesv axis of rotation; a colletmounted in each of said spindles in communication with saidparts-receiving opening, said collets each being formed with an aperturethat receives the. shank of said part; means interposed between saidframe and said spindles for effecting rotation of said.

spindles at certain of; said stations other than said first station;parts loading means on said frame for inserting unfinished parts throughthe parts-receiving opening of the spindle disposed at said firststation and positioning the shank thereof in alignment with the apertureof said collet; a part holding member in each spindle having a head thatenters said opening to abut the head of said part and urge it againstsaid collet; and means interposed between said frame and said spindlesfor automatically orienting the parts-receiving opening of the spindledisposed at said first station with respect to said parts loading means.

2. An automatic machine tool for machining parts.

having a head and a shank, comprising: aframe; a spindle table rotatablysupported byv said frame; a plurality ofv spindles rotatably carried bysaid spindle table, said spindles being progressively I1'10\'.;d from afirst station at which unfinished parts are loaded thereinto, andfinished parts are removed therefrom to a plurality of additionalstations by rotation of said spindle table, and each of said spindlesbeing formed with a parts-receiving opening that extends transversely tothe spindles, axis of rotation; a collet mounted in each of saidspindles in communication with said parts-receiving opening, saidcollets eachbeing formed with an aperture that receives, the shank ofsaid part; means interposed between said frame and said spindles forefiectingrotation of said spindles at certain of said stations otherthan said first station; parts loading means on said frame having an armthat extends into the parts-receiving opening of the, spindle disposedat said first station and aligns the shank of an unfinished part withthe aperture of said spindles collet; a part holding member in eachspindle having a head that enters said opening to abut the head of saidpart and urge it against said collet; andorienting, meansv on said framearranged in the path followed. by said spindles for automaticallyaligning the parts-receiving opening of the spindle disposed atsaidfirst station with the arm of said parts loading means.

3. An automatic machine tool for machining parts having a head and ashank, comprising: a frame; a spindle table rotatably supported by saidframe; a. plurality of spindles rotatably carried by said spindle table,said spindles being progressively moved from a first station at whichunfinished parts are loaded thereinto and finished parts are removedtherefrom to a plurality of additional stations by rotation of saidspindle table, and each of said spindles being formed with aparts-receiving opening that extends transversely to the spindles axisof rotation; a collet mounted in each of said spindles in communicationwith said parts-receiving opening, said collets each being formed withan aperture that receives the shank of said part; means interposedbetween said frame and said spindles for effecting rotation of saidspindles at certain of said stations other than said first station;parts loading means on said frame for inserting unfinished parts throughthe parts-receiving opening of the spindle disposed at said firststation and positioning the shank thereof in alignment with the apertureof said collet; parts-ejecting means on said frame including a pinmovable towards and away from the collet aperture of the spindledisposed at said first station; a part holding member in each spindlehaving a head that enters said opening to abut the head of said part andurge it against said collet; and means interposed between said frame andsaid spindles for automatically orienting the parts-receiving opening ofthe spindle disposed at said first station with respect to said partsloading means.

4. An automatic machine tool for machining parts having a head and ashank, comprising: a frame; a spindle table rotatably supported by saidframe; a plurality of spindles rotatably carried by said spindle table,said spindles being progressively moved from a first station at whichunfinished parts are loaded thereinto and finished parts are removedtherefrom to a plurality of additional stations by rotation of saidspindle table, and each of said spindles being formed with aparts-receiving opening that extends transversely to the spindles axisof rotation; a collet mounted in each of said spindles in communicationwith said parts-receiving opening, said collets each being formed withan aperture that receives the shank of said part; means interposedbetween said frame and said spindles for effecting rotation of saidspindles at certain of said stations other than said first station;parts loading means on said frame having an arm that extends into theparts-receiving opening of the spindle disposed at said first stationand aligns the shank of an unfinished part with the aperture of saidspindles collet; parts-ejecting means on said frame including a pinmovable towards and away from the collet aperture of the spindledisposed at said first station; a part holding member in each spindlehaving a head that enters said opening to abut the head of said part andurge it against said collet; and orienting means on said frame arrangedin the path followed by said spindles for automatically aligning theparts-receiving opening of the spindle disposed at said first stationwith the arm of said parts loading means.

5. An automatic machine tool, comprising: a frame; a spindle tablerotatably supported by said frame; a plurality of spindles rotatablycarried by said spindle table; a driven disc element on each of saidspindles; poweroperated means on said frame that rotates a driving discelement; and endless flexible element extending trans-t versely to theaxis of rotation of said table and drivingly connecting said drivingdisc element to certain of said driven disc elements; and idler discmeans rotatably supported by said frame, said idler disc means beingmovable in a plane transverse to the axis of rotation of said table tobe selectively engageable with said flexible element so as to vary thepath followed by said flexible element and thereby serving to adjust thenumber of driven disc elements contacted by said flexible element.

6. In an automatic machine tool having a frame, a spindle tablerotatably supported by said frame and power-operated means for effectingperiodic rotation of said table, a spindle, comprising: a housing havingmeans to secure it to said spindle table; a sleeve rotatably supportedby said housing, said sleeve being formed with an axial bore, the frontportion of which merges into a transversely extending parts-receivingslot; 21 collet mounted at the front of said sleeve with its rearsurface exposed to said slot; a plunger axially slidably disposed in thebore of said sleeve, said plunger having a head at its front end movabletowards and away from the rear surface of said collet, and the rear endof said plunger protruding through the rear of said sleeve bore; a tubeaxially slidably disposed in said sleeve bore and slidably encompassingsaid plunger, the rear end of said tube being formed with a radiallyextending latch element; latch finger means engageable with said latchele ment mounted on said sleeve; spring means interposed between saidtube and said plunger constantly biasing them apart; and second springmeans interposed between said sleeve and said tube constantly biasingthe latter rearwardly relative to said tube.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein a sheave isnon-rotatably afiixed to said sleeve.

8. An automatic machine tool for machining parts having a head and ashank, comprising: a frame; a spindle table rotatably supported by saidframe; a plurality of spindles rotatably supported by said spindletable, each of said spindles being formed at its front portion with atransversely extending parts-receiving slot; a collet mounted in each ofsaid spindles in communication with said parts-receiving slot, saidcollets each being formed with an aperture that receives the shank ofsaid part; power-operated means on said frame to effect periodicrota-tion of said spindle table and thereby progressively move saidspindles from a load-unload station to a plurality of other stations; anorienting surface formed on each of said spindles; a part holding memberin each spindle having a head that enters said slot to abut the head ofa part and urge it against said collet; parts loading means operativelyconnected to said frame and having an arm for inserting unfinished partsthrough the parts-receiving slot of a spindle disposed at saidloadunload station with the shank of said part aligned with the apertureof said spindles collet; and strip means formed of said frame in thepath followed by said spindles, said strip means engaging the orientingsurface of each spindle as it is moved into said load-unload station soas to align its parts-receiving slot with said parts loading means.

9. An automatic machine tool for machining parts having a head and ashank, comprising: a frame; a spindle table rotatably supported by saidframe; a plurality of spindles rotatably supported by said spindletable, each of said spindles being formed at its front portion with atransversely extending parts-receiving slot; a collet mounted in each ofsaid spindles in communication with said parts-receiving slot, saidcollets each being formed with an aperture that receives the shank ofsaid part; power-operated means on said frame to effect periodicrotation of said spindle table and thereby progressively move saidspindles from a load-unload station to a plurality of other stations; anorienting surface formed on each of said spindles; a part holding memberin each spindle having a head that enters said slot to abut the head ofa part and urge it against said collet; parts loading means operativelyconnected to said frame and having an arm for inserting unfinished partsthrough the parts-receiving slot of a spindle disposed at saidload-unload station with the shank of said part aligned with theaperture of said spindles collet; second power-operated means on saidframe; an endless flexible element connecting said second power-operatedmeans with said spindles so as to effect rotation of the latter atcertain of said stations other than said load-unload station; and stripmeans formed on said frame in the path followed by said spindles, saidstrip

